(CNN) - More than five months after assuming office as Florida's junior senator, Republican Marco Rubio gave his first floor speech Tuesday reflecting on “American exceptionalism” and the American dream.

The tea party favorite also tapped into fears of a world without American success and dominance.
"What will the world look like if America declines? Who's going to create the innovations of the 21st century? Who will stretch the limits of human potential and explore the new frontiers?" Rubio said. "And if America declines, who will do all these things and ask for nothing in return, motivated solely by the desire to make the world a better place? The answer is: No one will. There is still no nation or institution on this planet that is willing or able to do what America has done."

And in an apparent split from a common theme at Monday night's presidential debate, where many GOP contenders spoke out against U.S. involvement overseas, Rubio reminded his colleagues why he feels American interests remain at the helm.

"Whether we like it or not, there is no aspect of our daily life that is not directly impacted by the world around us," Rubio said. "We can choose to ignore global problems but global problems will not ignore us."

soundoff(33 Responses)

Bradley

So where are the jobs you promised us, Mr. Rubio? Where are the jobs?

June 14, 2011 08:04 pm at 8:04 pm |

Marie MD

I am surprised nobody is asking for birth certificate papers of the clowns running for president starting with this one.
@rickster – your boy the shrub had the lowest job recovery of any president in the last few decades. Obama is trying but your boys and girls in congress want him and us to fail. Maybe you should be more worried about that!

June 14, 2011 09:30 pm at 9:30 pm |

Aaron

More pie in the sky. Where are the promised jobs and economic recovery? The oil companies seem to be doing well with unsupportedly high gas prices and socialistic tax breaks, but the American people aren't doing so great.

June 14, 2011 09:36 pm at 9:36 pm |

BrianBDB

Wow Rickster,

Looks like you and I are the only commenters here who don't hate out country.

To all the rest of the kool-aid drinkers & useful idiots commenting on here...

Lighten up!!! What the heck are you so scared of??? Rubio is as duly elected as your messianic lord and savior in the White House.

Geez! Just when I was thinking people in this country were starting to wise up, I stumble across this lot.

Am I wrong? Should I get my cable TV turned back on?

June 14, 2011 09:44 pm at 9:44 pm |

J.V.hodgson

We have an awful lot of good things in America and Americans, but we should stop the arrogance and almost xenpphobic version of the meaning of patriotism most GOPers support like Rubio.
When we can accept that just some of the time we are not the best don't have all the best products don't have all the best ideas all of the time, then, just maybe we have a chance of turning this economy around and making our country "Respected again" as it once was.
But be sure please, we took 20 years to lose that respect and it will take longer to earn it and restore it in future.
So please stop talking about American success and dominance, that's what started the hate campaign lack of respect for America every where else except inside America.
Regards,
Hodgson

June 15, 2011 12:58 am at 12:58 am |

s kel

you think it was a mix of no on any democratic economic employment plan along with the ass wipe geedy old people party govs in certian states that contributed to the one.nine million more unenployment rickster??

June 15, 2011 01:10 am at 1:10 am |

Bill from GA

Didn't Hitler make the same speech, often?

So what's next, invade Canada?

June 15, 2011 01:52 am at 1:52 am |

mstabers

I'm waiting for Ruby to run for President in 2016.
I wish he'd run now.